11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.” (1 Timothy 5:11–12 (ESV)
Should the church refuse to financially support certain widows? We have thus far seen the biblical requirements widows must meet in order for the church to financially support them (I Tim. 5:3-10). The Apostle Paul provided another stipulation in today’s featured text. Widows must not be younger. Why?
To begin with, the word refuse (παραιτοῦ; paraitou) is a present, middle imperative verb. As pastor, Timothy must consistently, personally and obediently reject and excuse younger widows from being included in ongoing financial support from the church. This is a command from the Lord. Timothy must obey. The word younger (νεωτέρας; neoteras) could mean “new” as in recent. However, the context refers to younger in age, or less than sixty years of age (I Tim. 5:9).
Second, because they were younger such women would seek to marry again. Their passions (καταστρηνιάσωσιν; katastreniasosin) or physical desires superseded their desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently, they desire (θέλουσιν; thelousin) wish or want to remarry.
“The younger widows presented a different problem because of the possibility of remarriage. This excluded them from the official list mentioned in v 9. There is no suggestion here that any younger widow who was poverty-stricken would not qualify for some help. Paul seems to be thinking of those who offer for Christian work (as dedication to Christ suggests; v 11) but who would be placed in a difficult position if they wanted to marry.” [1]
Third, such women would incur (ἔχουσαι; echoousai) or experience a present and active condemnation (κρίμα; krima) or judgment. This was because they abandoned (ἠθέτησαν; ethetesan) and declared invalid their previous trust, commitment and dependency upon the church and to Christ as Savior and Lord.
“The apostle tells Timothy to “refuse to enroll younger widows” (1 Tim. 5:11), which conceivably includes any woman under the age of sixty (v. 9). Instead, as we will see in a few days, these ladies are to remarry if possible (v. 14). The specific problems with the younger women at Ephesus likely conditions much of Paul’s advice here, and we need to take that into account as we read these verses. In settings where there is not so much trouble, Paul may not intend his directives to be followed to the letter. Nevertheless, his counsel is still going to be applicable in most situations. Having been married once, the young widow has demonstrated that singleness is probably not her gift; thus, it is wise for her to marry and increase her family if she has many years left to live (1 Cor. 7:6–9),” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“Apparently, some young widows pledged to serve the church as widows in exchange for a stipend, thinking themselves to have the gift of singleness. Many of these, it seems, actually suppressed a true desire to be married but, lacking the gift of singleness, were finally overcome and wed the first man who came along. Any available Christian men would have been loathe to cause a widow to break her pledge of service to the church in singleness, and so many of these new husbands were likely pagans. Since the wife usually adopted the religion of her husband in that culture, many of these “formerly Christian” women probably became pagans, turning their back on Christ. Paul’s exhortation for these women to look for husbands right away was a way to keep all this from happening.”
Dr. William Hendriksen states, “For much of the work which Paul has in mind (see on verse 9) older women would be required, women with experience, who had the time and the opportunity, old widows therefore. But the possibility existed that also younger widows might apply. However, the importance of the work required whole-hearted devotion. If the interests are divided, so that the widow’s mind, even during the performance of her spiritual functions, is pre-occupied with the idea of finding a suitable husband, her efficiency will suffer. This is often the case (note the indefinite ὅταν). This is one of the reasons why the application of younger widows (those under sixty) should be rejected.”[2]
The church and its leadership should pay careful attention regarding those it seeks to financially support, especially in the case of widows. May the Lord’s truth and grace be sound here.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1302.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 175.
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